how long will shutdown last

The upcoming government shutdown in the United States is expected to begin at midnight on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, if no funding agreement is reached by Congress and the President before then. How long the shutdown will last is uncertain and depends on when Congress and the President eventually reach a deal to restore funding. Historically, shutdowns have varied widely in length, from a few hours to over a month. The longest U.S. government shutdown lasted 34 days in 2018-2019. The current shutdown could be brief if an agreement is reached quickly, but if negotiations continue to stall, it could extend for weeks or longer, causing furloughs of federal workers and disruption of non- essential government services. Key factors influencing the duration include ongoing disputes between Republicans and Democrats over healthcare funding and other budget priorities. Both sides currently appear far from compromise, making it likely the shutdown could last for some time. However, essential services such as Social Security payments, air traffic control, and postal services will continue during the shutdown.